Aye. I will not deny that others will bar your passage to paths they wish you not to tread, but to bend to their will is no different than to take the path of your own volition.

[Estinien's a man who came from basically nothing, and what he did have was taken from him at a young age. He got to where he was because he worked for it, and did what he could to meet his goals at all costs. To blame others for his possible shortcomings is inexcusable to him. ]

My duty as Azure Dragoon.

[Which is almost a whole truth. He does value his duty far more than basically everything, but that's far more because of its intersection with his thirst for vengeance.

But that is not something he cares to divulge with the young lord so soon.]